Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-03-05
AWAKENED LOVE.

OF her fatherS domain, she had been taught
as befitted a powerful r1onarch's daughter
No brighter eye flashed responsive to noble
deed, no tenderer heart wspt over knights
wounds, no more daring hlmtress hasted to
the chase no maiden in all her train was as
skilled at the embroidery frame as she
But her heart was iee This beautiful
being, who could pity the squires miShap,
had no mercy upon the noble knights whose
hearts she had pierced by her glances.
Right we'll did King Florimond like TO keep
his daughter to himself, and it was with
scarce concealed joy that he saw suitor after
sritor depart from his court with detected
mieu and downcast head But it came to
pass- as he grew older, lis ministers began to
consider that there must he suIac ruler capa-
BE of holding the turbulent princes of the
provinces in subsection. So they petitionei
Florimond to select from the princes, Who
every day besought Ethne's favor, one wtc
should become her consort.
Florirnond knew that his daughter must
we'd one whom he should adopt ere she could
sit upon his throne; so, with great sigh. he
prepared 10 give up his darling to another.
But when he preached the matter TO Ethue
she looked at him reproachfully. and asked:
"And hast thou tired of me- NV father"
aNo, no" answered he, fright sore would
it grieve me To find thy heart held me second.
vet thou knowest ! am waxing to the end,
and fain would see thee happy ere go"
Then Ethne chung TO him, shudderlng, as
strong young natures will, at thought Of
death, and babe him not name the ugly word,
it wrurg her heart; and said did he wish her
to marry, she would, not that her heart could
be Won by prince or duke-no, no: but only
to please her dear father.
The king smiled, for be was a shreNvd cid
fellow, and knew woman's heart, or thought
he did. and when She asked that she might
make her own choice, he laughed in his beard.
But he readily promised. and royal comti-rS
Were dispatched TO the east and the west, and
the north and the south. TO announce that the
Princes Ethne had at last agreed to we'd.
Great was the rejoicing, and for a space all
thoughts Of war left even the most puissant
warrior head and in their stead came dreams
of love ard ambition and the beautiful Etlne.
To every prince had come most faithful
miniature of the kings daughter, and many
man, as he gazed upon the dazzling counter
felt felt that he would gladly barter his soul
10 posses the real.
Be sure the princess had gazed upon the
portraits OF her fathers most renowned vas
sails, but ii any among them had stirred her
heart none knew it, not even her faithful
maid, Grunelle. She hunted and rode and
played her harp and worked her tapestry
with serene mien, and hung over her father
with tender ministration; but prince after
prince rode away from the palace more than
ever the beautiful EthIae's slave, further than
ever from Florimonds throne
Then Florimond began to wax a little
angry. as the best of men will when they find
themselves thwartei by woman's obStinacv.
and he swore by the bones Of his forefathers
that he would give SIX days tournament, 10
which all his neighbors and princely vaSsals
should be hidden, and on the sixth dav Ethna
must choose one for her husband Such an
ohedient CHILD was she that she smiled and
kissed his anger away.
The tournament came off at length, after
vast preparation Florimond's capital was
thronged with strangers, and squires dozei in
the saddle in the streets, while their noble
masters were content TO sleep upon bare floors
Al the beauty and the chivalrv Of the world
vas assembled: all that man and wealth could
do was done to make the tournament Of Ethne
the Fair unequaled And nature smiling
viewed the gay pageant. The Field Of Love
was great plain outside the gates. and thither
thousands wended their way from early dawn
At the extremity of the inclosed lists was d
raised dgis covered with purple velvet and Up
on this was placed the golden throne Of the
queen Of the tournament. shaded from the
June sun hv a canopy of silver and azure.
Right glorious was the dcy. The green earth
was bathed in the golden sunlight, and the
soft sunlight played with the ladies treSses,
and touched their rounded necks ike tranl-
bling lovers kiss. Heralds rode up and down
the lists, Proclaiming in sonorous voice their
Knights deeds of proves. More than 800 of
the proudest and bravest princes and dukes
Of Christendom had entered the contest, and
as knight after knight paid his obeisance 10
the queen many a brave bosom swelled. and
many q noble warrior vowed 10 perform
prCdigias which should win a look Of regard
from t1ose matches orbs. But though the
princess Joined In the storms of applause
which greeted each valiant deed, and be-
slowed upon each victor his need with words
of gracious cheer that sent the blood tingling
through the veins of the kneeling knight
there was no tenderness in the tranquil eyes,
TO carmine upon the pale cheek. twas as if
an angel had smiled upon man, and still was
angel. and he but man.
Florimond upon his lofty throne of purest
gold, with proud princes bending their knees
before him, was like sun amid planets; vet
az day pressed upon day. and Ethne made no
sign, the cloud upon his lofty brow deepene1l,
and upon the eve of the fifth day he sought
Ethne and swore by his troth that lfa would
permit no further trifing. Upon the NOR
row thou must make thy decision. Is it POS
sible that Of the 800 knights who entered the
Lists rot one has found favor in thy sightG7
Then Ethne turned to him and said: Dear
father and sovereign lord, be not wroth with
thy daughter and humble subject. | live bat
70 obey thee, and whatever thou dost coz
Tnand. that Will do.
She put her soft arms about his neck and
fell to great weeping, md Florimond was sore
perpiexed for he was a most tender man, Vet
also was he mighty monarch whose word
would not he broken, and should be permit
TIE princes of the east and the north and the
west and the south to depart, scorning doting
father and a spoiled, capricicus maid,
So he l0osened the clinging arms and bans
his brow and stamped his heel.
Thou hast heard; show that thou hast
heede1'7 aad was striding from the chamber,
when Ethne Frustrated herself at his feet.
Most gracious king, she duplicated, mot
tine meanest Of thy serfs inplores hearing in
vain; wilt thou deny thy daughteri'
Thou hast me there; but think not, E1Ena,
70 cajole nc. ] DO not think IN fashioning
thee so fair God hath left cut that chiefest
JOY in woman, heart. Tel me not thou
censt net care for lover. By st. John fun
many gallant youth have I seen these days
most coneiy to look upon. Were l maid
could not say him nay ween. And YET thou
hast met looks Of languishing love with glance
so cold it did freeze the marrow in the
inncer's bones It's true what they say, thou
art Ethre the icy Hearted. No, thol last
20 heart Yes, thou hast, too, for Ia
D!arie1 thee weep over a squallIng child
r.:ishap, vet thou Grt rock when thou !IzJ.9esi
how much l woUIdst JOY dIdst thou love soiaa
gallant Knight to whom l could say: 'I.ll-
come, my son
L